colophon Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a publisher's emblem printed in a book (usually on the title page)

WordNet

Col"o*phon noun
Etymology
L. colophon finishing stroke, Gr. cf. L. culmen top, collis hill. Cf. Holm.
Definitions
  1. An inscription, monogram, or cipher, containing the place and date of publication, printer's name, etc., formerly placed on the last page of a book.
    The colophon, or final description, fell into disuse, and . . . the title page had become the principal direct means of identifying the book. De Morgan.
    The book was uninjured from title page to colophon. Sir W. Scott.

Webster 1913